Characterization of Peat-Free Organic Media in Pepper (Capsicum Annuum L.) Production

Several materials of organic origin (peats, composts, pine bark) were tested in vegetable growing, the test plant was pepper (Capsicum annuum L., cv. Danubia). The main objective was to find out how to apply of these materials efficiently in intensive growing. The effect of the media on the yielding of pepper was also examined. Soil samples were measured for various pedological properties. The hydrolizable nitrogen-content decreased in the media except for composts where it increased significantly (SD_95%=25.61 and 20.48). Composts and pine bark were rich in potassium and phosphorus. High electrical conductivity (EC) was determined in green waste compost I. (EC=3.5) when sand was added to green waste compost II (EC=2.9) the EC decreased significantly (SD_95%=0.33). The mixture of high- and low-moor peat gave the highest yield (9.3 kg.m^-2), composts (6.1 and 5.7 kg.m^-2) and pine bark (6.3 kg.m^-2) gave significantly lower yields (SD_95%=0.43). It was concluded that the examined peat-free media can be valuable components of soil mixtures.